Presence!

Jesus was invisibly present with His disciples in the Upper Room while Mary Magdalene was telling them she had seen Him risen. While they sat there listening to her and not believing a word of it, Jesus was right there, as present in the room with them as He is with you while you sit reading this Word of Encouragement. Yet after that, He became even more fully present to them: He appeared to them and they realized that there were different ways in which He could be present. The same thing happens now. Jesus is present in various ways — in His people, in His word, in the poor and needy and suffering, and in many other ways. But He is fully present in the Eucharist. It is, says Chesterton, the difference between saying "The spirit of God pervades the universe and saying 'Jesus Christ just walked into the room.'" Today, go to Mass and experience the fullness of the Presence in the Eucharist!

Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.